IFC will provide cold weather cots on consecutive nights beginning Monday, November 2 and ending March 31. As in prior years, HomeStart (2505 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill) accommodates 3 individuals in our women’s space, and Community House (1315 MLK Jr. Blvd., Chapel Hill) accommodates 17 individuals in our men’s space. Both locations welcome non-binary individuals into the shelter that best affirms their identity.

Individuals seeking cold weather shelter may access a spot by calling IFC’s main number at (919) 929-6380 – press x3000 for Community House and x4000 for HomeStart.

**Signing up on the first day**

• On Monday, November 2, both shelters will begin taking names by phone from 10:30 am – 1:30 pm and then again after 4:00 pm. Individuals who need access to a phone can come to IFC Commons that morning as early as 10:00 am.
• After Monday, staff will answer the phones and add individuals to the list beginning at 8:00 am daily for HomeStart and 4:00 pm daily for Community House.

Cold weather guests must arrive between 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm and are advised to eat dinner before they arrive. They leave in the morning by 8:00 am and will tell staff if they are returning that evening. Once a community member receives a spot, they retain that spot by coming every night. If they do not come on a particular night, the spot will open up to someone else, and they can secure another spot by calling the shelter at the designated times to see if one is available. 

Meals are provided at IFC Commons (110 West Main Street, Carrboro) every day:

• Monday – Friday: Lunch 11:15 am – 12:30 pm; Dinner 5:00 pm – 5:45 pm
• Saturday, Sunday, Holidays: 11:15 am – 12:00 pm

On weekends and holidays, the shelters will provide dinner to cold weather cot guests, as dinner is not served at IFC Commons.

If you or anyone you know is looking for ways to keep our neighbors safe and warm this season, IFC keeps an updated list of most needed cold weather items on our website. These essential supplies are needed both for cold weather cots and our neighbors who are left sleeping outdoors. We are presently in great need of blankets, sleeping bags, and men’s coats!

Feel free to pass this message along. We also hope you will reach out with any questions or suggestions on how we can make this season of cold weather cots as welcoming and accessible as possible.